GIRL BAND’S BOSS DENIES SEX CLAIM
THE mastermind behind the Pussycat Dolls girl band last night denied the group was a “prostitution ring”.
Singer Kaya Jones, 33, said industry executives exploited her and some bandmates after she joined the girl group – fronted by Nicole Scherzinger – as a teen in 2003.
She claimed singers were regularly “abused and drugged” by music moguls.
But last night Pussycat Dolls founder Robin Antin hit back, saying it was all “disgusting, ridiculous lies”.
Kaya claims they pressured her and bandmates into sleeping with “whoever” they said.
The allegations come amid fears a Harvey Weinstein-scale sex abuse scandal is about to rock the music industry too.
Movie king Weinstein is reeling from multiple sex harassment and rape claims after checking into sex rehab. His spokesman “unequivocally denies” any nonconsensual sex claims. Kaya, who quit the group in 2005, says she was paid just £375 a week while others made a fortune.
She tweeted: “I wasn’t in a girl group. I was in a prostitution ring. “Oh and we happened to sing and be famous. While everyone who owned us made the $. “How bad was it? Bad enough that I walked away from my dreams, bandmates and a 13million-dollar record deal.”
The singer claimed to have been threatened with death if she spoke out over the alleged exploitation.
She said: “I personally have been warned if I tell I will ... you know end up dead or no more career.”
But the blonde said she will now “fight” to get justice against those who “tried to silence us”.
Slammed
She wrote: “Tried to drug us, but we were wide awake. Tried to blacklist us but fans followed. We aren’t kids any more.
“The children you messed with that survived the abuse, we are adults now. Are you ready old ones to fight? Cause you all are looking mighty old.”
Ms Antin slammed Kaya’s claims yesterday.
The shock outburst comes just days after the Pussycat Dolls appeared to confirm a comeback.
A new website call PCD Reunion and Instagram emerged in the group’s name. X Factor star Nicole will reportedly be joined by members Kimberly Wyatt, Ashley Roberts, Jessica Sutta, and Melody Thornton in the reunion.
Ashley Roberts refused to comment on the prostitution ring claim to the Daily Star yesterday.
Representatives for Nicole, Jessica and Melody could not be reached last night.
A spokeswoman for Kimberly declined to comment, but a source close to the singer said she “never experienced any abuse”. The Weinstein Company is up for sale after disgraced founder Harvey left its reputation in tatters.
It announced it is in “a negotiating period” with private equity firm Colony Capital. The company could sell all or part of its assets.
A total of 30 women including some of Hollywood’s biggest stars hve now accused the producer of sexual harassment.